4 ms·

My small population study (size: 1) showed a clear causation of cerumen impaction after Q-tip use. Your results may vary, but they don't work for me.

• kgwxd 6y ago
  I've cleaned my ears with q-tips every single day for almost 30 years and haven't had a single issue. In fact, every visit to the doctor I get a comment about how clean they are followed by a word of caution. Maybe letting it build up then trying to use a q-tip causes impaction?
  • skulk 6y ago
    > Maybe letting it build up then trying to use a q-tip causes impaction? I did this a while ago and it absolutely made the problem 100x worse, had to get it vacuumed out at the ENT. The earwax had apparently gotten stuck to my eardrum. Consistent q-tip use (like brushing teeth) seems fine, but I'll NEVER again attempt to clear out any kind of blockage with them.
  • ZainRiz 6y ago
    Exactly this. I used to use qtips regularly, then stopped using it for a couple weeks. The next time I tried using one suddenly couldn't hear in one year. Two days of using ear wax drops later, a giant ear wax plug slid out of my ear canal.
  • jusssi 6y ago
    Yup. I occasionally get earwax impactions from wax build up, then try to use a q-tip for a quick remedy. 75% of time I manage to make things worse.